953 W. Diversey Pkwy., Lincoln Park
This New Orleans-based eatery is baking up a healthier spin on pizza for carryout and delivery, and three first-time restaurant owners have teamed up to bring the concept to Chicago. The signature crust combines 10 different grains plus probiotics, and thanks to skim milk mozzarella, pies pack less fat and calories than most. Preservative- and additive-free ingredients back up the "naked" philosophy. Choose your own toppings or go with signature pies such as the Pima (black beans, jalapeno and cheddar), Superbiotic (artichokes, spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, red onion, garlic and cilantro) or the Omnivore (pepperoni, ham, hamburger, mushrooms and black olives). This Lincoln Park location, which opened in May 2012, is one of eight to ten in the plans for the Chicago area within the next several years. READ MORE
3312 N. Broadway Avenue. , Lake View
Go Gluten-free at this East Lakeview eatery, catered to those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance and diners who seek out gluten-free meal options. The fast-casual hot spot features a menu chock full of nutrients. A Bison burger, chicken and veggie skewers are among the grilled menu choices, along with wraps and pitas--both veggie and with meat. Other options include a selection of fresh salads, soups and smoothies. READ MORE
844 W. Randolph St., West Town
Inside this rustic buger bar, look for farm-friendly touches like 10-foot exterior barn doors, antique furniture and wallpaper, an exposed pie-making kitchen and family-style dining tables.The burger menu is fairly streamlined, focusing on what they do best grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, with options for turkey or vegetarian lentil patties as well. Served on a poppy seed bun with all the fixings, these burgers pair up with sides such as rainbow dark potato chips with French onion dip, German bacon potato salad, garlicky mac and cheese and cucumber potato salad. If you're not in the mood for a burger, go for the Farmer's Wife salad with romaine lettuce, avocado, red pepper, carrot, watermelon, corn and lemon dressing. Look for daily specials such as a Great Lakes yellow walleye fish fry on Friday nights or grass-fed ground beef chili on Thursdays. Fun cocktails and canned beer round out the drink offerings. And after you're good and full, order homemade ice cream with flavors such as pecan crisp, vanilla, chocolate and burnt sugar, served in a cup or cone. READ MORE
16 S. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights
Delicious homemade Italian food in a fast-casual setting: sandwiches on Fausto's famous crusty bread that's fired in a brick oven as well as dinners to-go or eat in the cheerful cafe. Dynamite homemade soups; pizza by the slice or whole thin-crust pies; foccacia and panini; salads from olive to chicken artichoke salad; and specialties like eggplant rolotini, chicken Parmesan and sausage with peppers. Pasta options like penne with asparagus, manicotti and regulars can't get enough of the homemade lasagna (available everyday). Check the cold case to tote home pizza dough, sliced meat and cheese, homemade Italian sausage and frozen pastas, homemade sauces and soups. READ MORE
939 N. Western Ave., Ukrainian Village
This European cafe in Ukrainian Village draws a mixed crowd of neighborhood old timers (you'll often hear Polish and Ukrainian spoken) and hipsters with a conversation-friendly atmosphere and a light, affordable menu. Order your traditional Turkish coffee (made on a hot plate inside a mound of sand and served with ice water and a piece of dark chocolate) at the counter, then settle in for free WiFi in the homey dining room, outfitted with lace curtains, a cushy couch and sturdy marble tables. READ MORE
3404 N. Southport Ave., Lake View
The husband-and-wife team that oversees this earthy coffee house is focused on sharing a taste of Africa with Lakeview. They bring a discerning eye for coffee, selecting beans directly from African farmers then roasting them on site before they make their way into coffee drinks such as chai lattes, iced coffees and straight-up Joe. African sandwiches and meat pies are made from scratch daily and served up alongside a wide selection of homemade muffins, croissants, cinnamon rolls and other pastries. Neighborhood lunchers come for sandwiches and panini. Combined with handmade reclaimed furniture from Zimbabwe and African artwork on the walls, we’d say this duo does their roots justice. READ MORE
1646 N. Damen Ave., Bucktown
Debbie Sharpe (Feast Restaurant & Bar) is behind this upscale Bucktown grocery and deli where gourmet spices, rubs, sauces, snacks, crackers and other goodies line the shelves and hungry folks from the neighborhood line the deli cases, scoping out grab-and-go options such as rotisserie chicken, veggies, prepared salads, pastas and house-made soups. The mix-it-up salad bar steals the show: You choose your greens, ingredients and dressing and they'll toss it for you. Made-to-order sandwiches include the Oh, Calcutta! (tandoori chicken in a cilantro wrap) and the Greek Goddess (a wrap with hummus, tomatoes, onions, kalamata olives, spinach, grilled halloumi cheese and oregano dressing). The deli also features more than 50 cheese choices and gourmet meats sliced to order. Customized gift baskets are also available. READ MORE
3525 N. Clark St., Wrigleyville
Though this bar-restaurant features a tasty pizza well known for its 40-some year history in the south suburbs, it's all about the North Side Cubbies here. From the name (a nod to the fall color change of the ivy at Wrigley Field) and Cubs scoreboard replica, to baseball game showings on seven 42-inch HD plasma TVs, three 60-inch HD plasmas and one 90-inch projection screen, it's root, root, root for the home team. Guys take note: There are even TVs in the men's room. Recipes come courtesty of the family-owned Palermo's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, including the delicious sweet sauce deep-dish pan, thin crust and stuffed pizza, plus pastas and standard pub fare. There's also a 50-foot curved mahogany bar for downing a drink or three. For a change of scenery, walk to the back of the bar to check out the speakeasy-inspired room, called 1914. READ MORE
5759 N. Broadway, Edgewater
This Edgewater joint is one of those everything-under-the-sun fast food that serves a range of not-very-good-for-you delights like deep-fried seafood, hot dogs and barbecue. Pizza is sold by the slice and by the whole pie, with standard meat and veggie toppings available. Salads, sandwiches, burgers and chicken round out the menu, which also includes pastas, sold as individual entrees and—get this—by the bucket. Said buckets, filled with spaghetti or mostaccioli and meatballs or sausage, feed three to four people and come with garlic bread and (hey, why not?) cole slaw. READ MORE
2020 N. Leavitt Ave., Bucktown
Named for the Red June apple, an early-season fruit prized in baking, this Bucktown coffeehouse delivers on the moniker by serving up homemade apple crisp daily. There's also a selection of coffee drinks plus a short lineup of sandwiches, salads, soup and other sweet treats such as cookies and homemade Scotcharoo and caramel bars. The small space, divided into two little rooms, is about as cozy as a neighborhood coffeehouse can get. There's just a handful of tables and a couple of couches, but folks tend hunker down with laptops and books and stay a while. READ MORE
